The Volunteers by Douglas Reeman

Author:Douglas Reeman [Reeman, Douglas]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Historical Naval Fiction
ISBN: 9780425103777
Google: XA-RAAAACAAJ
Amazon: 0425103773
Barnesnoble: 0425103773
Goodreads: 584336
Publisher: Berkley
Published: 1985-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

The day was the longest Frazer could remember. Although Ryder and the dead Germans had been buried the place seemed to smell of death.

He had seen the general several times and had been incensed by the man’s total lack of regret or uncertainty. If his German allies arrived and prevented his escape he would probably proclaim he was being kidnapped, taken prisoner. The dead German sailors would give weight to that. If he survived, he would not lose either.

There were several false alarms during the day. Aircraft had been sighted, but they had passed well clear of the islands and were obviously not searching or patrolling.

As the afternoon arrived and Archer reported that all the general’s valuable possessions had been loaded into the MGB’s hull where even the smallest space could be found, Allenby joined Frazer in one of the well-furnished rooms which overlooked the terrace. Beyond it lay the sea. Blue and sparkling, full of invitation.

Allenby said, “I’ll be glad to leave this place.” He looked round the room and added bittetly, “This is one target I wouldn’t mind blowing up!”

Frazer tried to break his despairing mood. “Can’t do that, Dick. One of our own brasshats will probably want to move into it shortly!”

“You really think so, Keith?” Allenby’s eyes were rimmed with fatigue. “I keep thinking about David. I should have guessed, warned him.”

Frazer eyed him anxiously. “How could you? You know the score, David knew it too. It was his turn.” He shrugged. “Let’s just concentrate on getting out of here.” He turned as the sound of a piano filtered through the door. The general was playing, and Frazer had to admit that he was good at it.

Goudie banged into the room and hurled his cap onto a chair.

“We’ll prepare to slip in two hours. Get General Tesini and his wife and son aboard thirty minutes before that. Put them somewhere safe, wherever that• is. He’s also decided to take a couple of servants after all.” He had a crumpled signal flimsy in his hand and he added savagely, “There’ll be no rendezvous with the submarine. We just had a signal. So it will be hell for leather all the way. Air cover will be provided as soon as possible.”

Frazer made a quick calculation. It would mean that Thomas and his men would be crammed aboard too. It would not be a happy trip, he thought.

Allenby asked, “What about the prisoners, sir?”

“Leave ‘em. It makes the whole thing look more convincing. They’ll probably say they were outnumbered ten to one.” He grimaced. “I would in their position.”

He crossed to the window and stared emptily at the blue sea. “By the way, the invasion is on. Operation Husky will begin the day after tomorrow.”

Allenby looked at Frazer. No wonder the high command did not want a submarine in the area as well. Any additional activity might delay things and prevent General Tesini from calling on his men to change sides.

Goudie said, “The rest of the Italian servants will remain here.

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